- Closing date
- 25 July 2022 17:00 UK time
- Time commitment
- Four meetings per year plus reading time, attend PAT SAP group as needed
- Number of positions
- 5
- Length of service
- 1 year minimum, 3 years maximum
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is looking to appoint up to an additional 5 members to the PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup.
We encourage applications from researchers across the community, but particularly welcome applications from men as well as researchers working in industry and BBSRC strategically funded institutes, due to their current underrepresentation on the panel.
The subgroup is an excellent opportunity for those interested in:
- providing strategic and scientific advice to influence future funding calls and other BBSRC activities
- benefitting the researcher community by helping shape BBSRC strategy for researchers
- providing a representative voice for researcher communities generally, as well as within your scientific field, sector or organisation
- gaining experience for your own career development, particularly in communication, negotiation and persuasion
- being an ambassador for BBSRC amongst your organisation and colleagues
- gaining insight into BBSRC’s ways of working through first-hand experience
An attendance payment of £170 per meeting is provided to members. Travel, subsistence and caring arrangements necessary to attend any in-person meetings can be reimbursed.
Background
BBSRC recognises the need to support researchers in academia, industry or elsewhere to maximise an individual’s research effectiveness and potential. The People and Talent Strategy Advisory Panel (PAT SAP) has a Researcher Subgroup that focuses on issues related to researcher careers and contributes to the development and implementation of BBSRC strategic programmes for researchers.
The objectives of the subgroup are set out in the terms of reference. The subgroup maintains a close relationship with PAT SAP to encourage a two-way conversation, ensuring consistency amongst discussions and that a researcher perspective is given to PAT SAP.
Examples of topics the subgroup has advised on include:
- implementing UKRI’s Researcher Concordat Action Plan for BBSRC and the biosciences
- the potential benefits and risks of researcher exchange programmes, influencing the development of the Flexible Talent Mobility Account programme
- guidance sought by BBSRC fellowship applicants, leading to the production of video guides for BBSRC fellowships
- the value and visibility of the co-investigator role
- the narrative CV format
- the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on researchers and how they can be supported
- equality, diversity and inclusion in bioscience researcher populations
Eligibility
For the purpose of the PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup, BBSRC defines researchers as “individuals whose primary responsibility is to conduct research and who are employed specifically for this purpose. Within this group, it is recognised that these staff often have different contract types, levels of training, experience and responsibility, as well as different career expectations and intentions. Disciplinary and institutional context can also mean a broad range of job titles fall within this definition.”
This definition includes the following people:
- individuals who are employed mainly/solely to conduct research within academia or industry
- postdoctoral researchers at any time during their postdoctoral careers as there is no requirement on the number of postdoctoral positions held/or not, both from academia and industry
- researchers post-PhD or equivalent and therefore excluding PhD students and postgraduate masters research students in both academia and industry
- fellows such as BBSRC Discovery Fellows or equivalent in the early stages of developing independence in a lab/group
BBSRC recognises that career paths vary, but for the purpose of this subgroup, BBSRC does not include the following under the definition of ‘researcher’:
- David Phillips Fellows or UKRI Future Leader Fellows
- individuals who have established an independent group or lab
- individuals employed in a position where managerial responsibilities are the primary responsibility of their employment rather than research
Applicants based in academia should be working on one or more of the below:
- a BBSRC-funded grant
- working at or in collaboration with a BBSRC-funded strategic institute
- undertaking research within the BBSRC portfolio remit at the time of application to the subgroup
Please see BBSRC remit, programmes and priorities or contact remit@bbsrc.ukri.org for clarification around remit areas.
Applicants in industry should be working for a company with which BBSRC has an established relationship or a company with intent to develop a collaborative partnership with BBSRC, or as an individual who were supported by BBSRC during their PhD.
All applicants should have experience of employment, working at or with, or having been funded by BBSRC or other UKRI councils including Innovate UK and Research England.
Person specification
The desired attributes of researchers sought are described below. Please note that this is guidance for applications, and it is not expected that all of the experiences and attributes sought will be found in each individual member; having gaps in these should not therefore prevent potential applicants from applying.
Personal effectiveness
Attributes include:
- empowered to use their own initiative, and empowers others to do the same
- plans effectively and realistically
- keeps to commitments made such as attending quarterly meetings and responding to papers in preparation for the meeting, and explains when they cannot be met
- prioritises well – balances importance and urgency to deliver what is required on time
- has genuine interest in effecting change and influencing BBSRC strategy
Communication
Attributes include:
- communicates effectively and flexibly, varying style for audience, setting and level in the organisation
- able to persuade and influence audiences at varying levels of seniority
- seeks and respects other people’s opinions and perspectives – is open to suggestions
- deals assertively and fairly with disagreement, conflict and challenge
- receptive to and open to feedback
- puts across difficult concepts simply, concisely and clearly
Working with others (collaborating and partnering)
Attributes include:
- able to build networks with stakeholders from a range of sectors
- ability to work effectively, confidently and diplomatically with a diverse range of stakeholders
- promotes collaboration and cross functional working
- hold equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of discussions and decisions that they share
How to apply
To apply please complete the application form and send it to:
Email: postdoc.researchers@bbsrc.ukri.org
The deadline for applications is 25 July 2022, 17:00.
If required, a print copy of the application form can also be returned by post. Please contact postdoc.researchers@bbsrc.ukri.org if you wish to submit your application in this way.
Before you apply, we recommend that you look at the following resources to familiarise yourself with the aims and objectives of the subgroup as well as wider strategy relating to this area:
If you have any queries regarding the subgroup or application, please contact us at postdoc.researchers@bbsrc.ukri.org.
Assessment
Applications to the subgroup will be initially sifted by BBSRC staff, including the Head of Research and Innovation Talent at BBSRC. The applications will then be assessed by the Chair of the PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup, the Chair of PAT SAP and the Director of Talent, Inclusion and Funding Delivery at BBSRC.
Candidates will be assessed against the above person criteria and the expertise and experience sought in members as described on the PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup web page and terms of reference.
Appointments will be offered based on:
- this assessment
- the need to balance the overall expertise of the subgroup
- the need to maintain a diversity of institutions represented
- the need to ensure appointments to the subgroup are balanced and in line with UKRI’s equality, diversity and inclusion policy.
Career breaks and flexible working
Time spent outside the active research and business environment, whether through career breaks or flexible working will be considered in the assessment process.
Applicants should indicate any substantive periods of absence within their application. Further details on the nature of the absence and how it has affected track record, productivity and career progression may be provided, if desired. Information provided will be used only to make appropriate adjustments when assessing an individual’s track record, productivity and career progression.
In assessing applicants, panels will recognise that the effects on productivity of a career break, or a period of flexible working, may continue beyond the return to work.
Equality and diversity
We recognise that diverse ideas, experiences, backgrounds and perspectives are fundamental to successful science and innovation and we are committed to ensuring that our Committees, Panels and Boards are inclusive, diverse, and representative of the research community.
Through this appointment activity, we aspire to improve the diversity of the PAT SAP Researcher Subgroup. We are committed to the principle of providing equal opportunities for all. We are keen to obtain more diversity in our appointments so would welcome applications from a range of candidates from all backgrounds. Applications are especially welcome from men, those with a disability, and those working in industry or at a BBSRC strategically funded institute, who are currently underrepresented on the panel.
An equality impact assessment has been developed to inform applicants and members of how we consider and minimise barriers to participation through reasonable adjustments. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you wish to discuss further.
To support us in assessing how effective our policies and procedures are in eliminating unlawful discrimination and promoting opportunities, we ask that you provide diversity information that will be used anonymously by BBSRC for statistical purposes. This information will be treated in confidence by BBSRC and will not be used in the assessment of applications.
Contact
For queries about the subgroup vacancies, please contact:
Email: postdoc.researchers@bbsrc.ukri.org
Last updated: 27 June 2022